I am not fond of bedroom suites or sets of anything really. It is so much more interesting to see a well collected room where individual pieces have been thought out with each piece adding individual notes to the overall design. The minute you decide not to buy a complete set you have to start thinking about what, how many, how high, what colour, etc. Wonder no more! Here are pointers that will help you choose interesting and design friendly furniture for your bedside.

How High?

Your bedside tables should not be so low that they look dwarfed by the bed or so high that you have to reach way up to turn on a lamp. When your tables are the same height as your mattress (my preference) they provide a pleasing visual line all the way across.

These mirrored cabinets make great bedside tables. They reflect the colours around them adding additional interest and provide plenty of storage. The height makes them easily accessible from the bed with tops wide enough to hold lamps and other objects. Although they are large they do not look large because of the mirrored surface - a great addition to any decor.

The most important thing to consider is the scale of the table when compared to the bed. If you have a king size bed you need a larger bedside table ranging from 20" - 40" wide.

In a country home a high chair does not look out of place as a bedside table.

Another great option for an informal look is a small kitchen table with folding sides. I like the way the lines support the slanted lines of the roof. If I could change one thing I would have a lamp with a little more volume and height.

Attaching peeled logs together once cut to a standard length makes a very interesting bedside table. Depending on where you live this could be a very inexpensive solution especially for a more rustic/cottagey decor.